Pennsylvania Power Switch Complete 2025 Guide to PA Electric Choice

What is PA Power Switch?

PA Power Switch is the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PA PUC) official program enabling residents to choose their electricity supplier. Pennsylvania was among the first states to deregulate electricity with the Electricity Generation Customer Choice Act of 1996. How it works:

Choose from dozens of licensed Electric Generation Suppliers (EGS)
Compare against your utility's default Price to Compare
Your local utility (PECO, PPL Electric, Duquesne Light) still delivers electricity
Same reliable service—only your supplier changes

Supply competition often results in rates lower than your utility's default, giving Pennsylvania consumers real savings opportunities.

PA Power Switch Basics

Pennsylvania deregulated electricity in 1996
Choose from dozens of licensed EGS suppliers
Your utility handles delivery regardless of supplier

How Pennsylvania Electricity Choice Works

Pennsylvania electricity choice separates your bill into two parts: 1. Generation (Supply) — Open to competition

Covers actual electricity production
Accept your utility's Price to Compare OR choose a licensed supplier
This is where you can save money

2. Distribution (Delivery) — Regulated by PA PUC

Power line maintenance
Meter reading
Outage response

When you switch suppliers:

Your utility still reads your meter and sends your bill
Only your generation rate changes
Service quality stays the same

The typical Pennsylvania household uses about 880 kWh monthly—even small rate differences add up to significant annual savings.

PA PUC Consumer Protections

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission licenses and regulates all electricity suppliers in the state. What PA PUC requires from suppliers:

EGS licensing — Mandatory before selling electricity
Strict marketing rules — No deceptive practices
Clear contract disclosures — All terms upfront
Honor cancellation rights

Your cancellation right: Pennsylvania law gives you 3 business days to cancel any new supplier contract without penalty. Need to file a complaint?

Phone: 1-800-692-7380
Online: papowerswitch.com

The PA PUC can revoke licenses from companies that violate regulations.

PA PUC

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Pennsylvania's agency regulating public utilities providing electric, gas, water, and telecommunications services.

1-800-692-7380

Official Website

Consumer Resources

File a Complaint Compare Rates

Using PAPowerSwitch.com

PAPowerSwitch.com is the official PA PUC website for comparing electricity offers. How to use the tool:

Enter your ZIP code to see available suppliers
Review offers: price per kWh, contract terms, fees
Filter by price, contract length, or green energy %
Click through to supplier enrollment page

What you'll see for each plan:

Price per kWh
Contract terms
Early termination fees
Renewable energy content
Your utility's Price to Compare (for easy savings calculation)

Important: Prices update monthly. The lowest price isn't always the best value—watch for hidden fees or unfavorable terms.

How to Switch Electric Suppliers in Pennsylvania

Switching suppliers in Pennsylvania takes just minutes and causes no service interruption. Step-by-step process:

Gather your bill — Find your account number and current rate
Compare offers — Use PAPowerSwitch.com or a comparison service
Enroll online or by phone — Provide account number, address, and ID

What happens next:

New supplier notifies your utility
Switch takes 1-2 billing cycles
Your utility continues billing for total charges
Generation portion reflects your new rate

Good to know: You can switch as often as you like, though early termination fees may apply if you leave a contract early.

Switching Suppliers in Pennsylvania

Find your account

Locate account number on your bill

1 min

Visit PAPowerSwitch

Compare official offers

5 min

Choose and enroll

Select plan and sign up

3 min

Confirmation

Review 3-day cancellation period

3 days

1.6M+

PECO Customers

Major PA Utilities

1996

Deregulation Year

Pennsylvania Utility Service Territories

Pennsylvania has multiple electric distribution companies serving different regions: Major Pennsylvania Utilities:

PECO — Philadelphia metro and surrounding counties (~1.6 million customers)
PPL Electric — Central and eastern PA (Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster)
Duquesne Light — Pittsburgh region (Allegheny and Beaver counties)

FirstEnergy Utilities (4 in PA):

Met-Ed — South-central region
Penelec — Northern and western areas
Penn Power — Northwest
West Penn Power — Southwest

Important: Each utility has different Price to Compare rates that change quarterly. Your utility determines which suppliers serve your area.

Understanding Pennsylvania Electricity Rates

Pennsylvania electricity bills include generation and distribution charges. The generation rate (competitive portion):

Shown in cents per kWh
Your utility's Price to Compare = default generation rate
Set through competitive auctions, changes quarterly

Plan types available:

Fixed rates — Locked for 6-36 months (budget certainty)
Variable rates — Change monthly (lower starting price, but risk increases)
Indexed rates — Tied to market prices

Pennsylvania rate benchmarks:

Average residential: 16-18 cents/kWh total
Generation portion: typically 50-60% of total

Tip: Always compare total cents per kWh, including monthly service fees divided by your average usage.

Your Rights as a Pennsylvania Energy Consumer

Pennsylvania provides robust consumer protections for electricity shoppers. Before enrollment, suppliers must disclose:

All rates and fees
Contract terms

Your key rights:

3 business days to cancel any new contract without penalty
Protection from slamming — Unauthorized switching is illegal
Protection from cramming — Unauthorized charges are illegal
Right to switch — Return to utility's default rate anytime

If problems arise:

Your utility cannot disconnect service while disputes are investigated
File complaints with PA PUC — they can order refunds and penalties

Note: Low-income customers in CAP programs should verify supplier compatibility before switching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Price to Compare in Pennsylvania?

The Price to Compare (PTC) is your utility's default generation rate for customers who don't choose a competitive supplier. It changes quarterly based on wholesale market auctions. Compare supplier offers against your PTC to determine potential savings.

Can I switch if I receive energy assistance in PA?

Yes, but check with your utility first. Some assistance programs like CAP (Customer Assistance Program) have specific requirements. Switching suppliers may affect certain benefits, so verify compatibility before enrolling with a new supplier.

How long does it take to switch suppliers in Pennsylvania?

The switch typically takes one to two billing cycles to complete. You'll continue receiving power from your current supplier until the switch processes. Your utility will notify you when the new supplier becomes active.

Are there fees to switch suppliers in Pennsylvania?

Your utility doesn't charge fees for switching suppliers. However, if you're under contract with your current supplier and leave early, you may owe an early termination fee. Check your contract terms before switching.

What happens during power outages with a competitive supplier?

Your local utility handles all outages regardless of your supplier choice. PECO, PPL, Duquesne Light, or your regional utility responds to and repairs outages. Your supplier only provides the generation, not the physical delivery of power.

About the author

Enri Zhulati

Consumer Advocate

Enri has spent years helping Texans navigate the deregulated electricity market at ComparePower. He knows what confuses people about energy shopping and what actually helps them save. At ElectricRates.org, he brings that same expertise to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

Electricity deregulationOhio Energy ChoicePennsylvania Power SwitchMassachusetts competitive suppliersPUCO regulations

Topics covered

PA Power Switch Pennsylvania electricity PA PUC PECO PPL Electric electric suppliers

Sources & References

Pennsylvania General Assembly - Act 138 of 1996 (Pennsylvania General Assembly): "Pennsylvania deregulated electricity with the Electricity Generation Customer Choice Act of 1996"Accessed Jan 2025
PA PUC - Electric Generation Suppliers (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "PA PUC licenses and regulates all electricity suppliers operating in Pennsylvania"Accessed Jan 2025
PECO - About Us (PECO Energy Company): "PECO serves over 1.6 million customers in the Philadelphia metropolitan area"Accessed Jan 2025
PA PUC Consumer Rights (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission): "Pennsylvania law gives consumers three business days to cancel any new supplier contract"Accessed Jan 2025
U.S. Energy Information Administration - State Electricity Profiles (U.S. Energy Information Administration): "Pennsylvania average residential rates are around 16-18 cents per kWh"Accessed Jan 2025

Last updated: December 10, 2025